Tips on
Trip Tipping: Giving Gratuities at Disney

Many Disney
travelers feel unsure about how much to tip during their vacations. We find it helps to
remember this adage: "only tip if you've been pleased with the service." Beyond
that, there are no hard and fast rules -- only some general guidelines, which we outline
below.

Tipping is a thank-you for good service.
Tipping does not need to be mandatory if you did not receive good service. If service was
unsatisfactory, ask to speak to the manager and relay the problem rather than simply not
tip.

Here are some general guidelines for
gratuities on your Disney vacation:

GETTING THERE:- Skycap (airport baggage handler): $1/bag
($2 for particularly heavy bags)- Airport Parking Shuttle: $1/person- Town Car/Limo Driver: Tip about 20%
total. If your trip consists of two legs, tip 10% on the way there and 10% on the way
back. Keep in mind that you may not have the same driver on your drive back. If your
driver carries your luggage from baggage claim, consider adding $1/bag for the extra
service.- Taxi: 15% of fare, (you may want to add
more if s/he helps you with your bags)- Shuttle Van/Bus: $2/person

LODGING:- Valet Parking: $1-2 when your car is
delivered- Bell Services (hotel baggage handler):
$1/bag ($2 for particularly heavy bags).If your luggage is going to be stored
(either before or after check-in), consider tipping twice--once for the person who
receives your bags, and again for the person who delivers them from storage.- Housekeeping: $1/day/person (left in a
marked envelope). For turndown service, or if you request an item be delivered to your
room, such as a hairdryer or iron, tip $1/item. Tipping housekeeping is an age-old custom,
but it is not expected at Disney. If you feel it's unnecessary, don't feel obligated.- Room Service: 15% of food bill (unless a
gratuity is automatically included)- Concierge: $5-10/visit

MISCELLANEOUS:- Spa Treatment: 15-20% for a full-service
treatment, 10% for a self-service treatment (such as the Surial Ritual Chamber aboard the
Disney Cruise Line)- Main Street Barber Shop or other Beauty
Treatment: 15% of bill

Note: Walt Disney had strong feelings
about tipping that are still reflected in official policy at Walt Disney World and
Disneyland. Walt did not want guests "bribing" employees to receive preferential
treatment, such as getting a table by tipping a dining room host/hostess, a better room by
tipping a desk clerk, or bypassing a line by tipping a ride attendant. He wanted all
guests to have the same high level of service, regardless of financial means. As a result,
most Disney employees are expressly prohibited from accepting tips, and can be terminated
for doing so. You can certainly express your appreciation by offering a gratuity, but
expect that your offer will be very politely declined. Express your appreciation by
sending a written commendation to WDW Guest Communications. These letters can do more for
a cast member's career than any tip you may have given. Here's the address: Guest
Communications, Walt Disney World Co., Inc., PO Box 10040, Lake Buena Vista, FL
32830-0040, or e-mail: wdw.guest.communications@disney.com

CRUISING:- Baggage Porters (at terminal): $1-2/bag- Dining Room Server: $3.75/night- Dining Room Assistant Server: $2.75/night- Dining Room Head Server: $1/night- Stateroom Host/Hostess: $3.60/night(Note: Dining Room staff and your stateroom
host/hostess are customarily tipped in a lump sum, at the end of the voyage. Disney Cruise
Line provides tip envelopes for this purpose, and you can charge those gratuities to your
room by visiting Guest Services on Deck 3.- Palo Server: The per-person charge ($5
for dinner) is intended to cover your meal gratuity, but a 15% tip for wine and beverage
service, and an additional tip for exceptional service are very much in order.- Room Service: $2/person- Bartender/Lounge Server: Check your bill
to see if a tip was automatically added to your bill. If not, $10-15% of bill- Shore Excursion Tour Guide: $1-2/person- Kids Counselors and Other Crew Members:
Not necessary, but a thank-you for special service is always appreciated.

TIPPING NOTES: - All the above
suggested tip amounts are based on your bill before tax -- you do not need to include tax
when you calculate your tip.- Keep single dollar bills handy for
tipping.- In a restaurant keep in mind that you are
tipping on service, not the quality of the food.- If you're using a coupon or discount,
your tip should be based on the full bill, not the discounted amount.- Make sure to examine your bill carefully
before determining your tip amount. For large groups or certain locations (such as the
lounges on the Disney Cruise Line), a tip may automatically be included.- Feel free to add a creative extra for
special service, such as a pre-paid phone card or a token from your hometown or
country.

A word about tipping housekeeping, or
"mousekeeping" as we like to call it at Walt Disney World. You should leave your
tip in your room on a daily basis, rather than leave one tip at the end of your stay --
different housekeepers may attend your room each day. Leave your tip in an envelope marked
"For Housekeeping," or your tip may not be collected. If you'd like to make fun
"mousekeeping" envelopes before you go, visit this site for artwork: http://www.arwolff.com/heidi/

"When I go to Disney I usually stop
by the bank before hand and pick up a roll or two of Sacagawea Golden Dollar coins.
This is used specifically for tipping people like bell services, cab drivers, and
bartenders. It is also a good way to keep track on how much you have been tipping."
-- contributed by Bill

"Just an addition to your article
on tipping at WDW: don't forget to tip your guide if you go on a fishing excursion. These
folks work hard and use all of their knowledge and expertise to help everyone enjoy the
experience. They deserve (and appreciate) a tip!!!" -- contributed by Carole Wade

"As an International visitor (UK)
to WDW we find the subject of gratuities very interesting. We have visited WDW every year
for the past 12 years and have learnt the art of giving gratuities. But many of the
service workers who receive tips would not do so in this country. Only restaurant staff
receive gratuities here, and hairdressers and taxi drivers, but no one else -- bar workers
and baggage staff at airports do not receive gratuities here nor would expect any. If my
husband and I hear of anyone visiting the USA we explain the tipping system as not to
cause them any embarrassment with servers or hotel employees, but I do feel that both the
UK and the US travel industry should make International visitors more aware of the custom,
so extra dollars can be laid aside for this purpose, UK visitors usually stay for a
minimum of 14 nights and a maximum of 21, leaving gratuities every day for all the
different services a hotel provides can soon mount up and this should be explained more on
booking the vacation." -- contributed by Karen Ward

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